Hahn: The guidance of dialogue by Moghrin is sufficient, the role of the US

In an exclusive interview with Deutsche Welle, Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn says Albania's current image is very difficult to make a positive decision for negotiations.

DA: Mr. Hahn, in a recent interview, you described yourself as a fireman and architect of Western Balkan countries. Fire broke out in Albania on Saturday. In protest what means would you offer to calm the situation?

Johannes Hahn: I said that then in response to a question about my description of my duty, and this has to do with neighboring countries. That is what I wanted to say: On the one hand, I try to develop things conceptually, and on the other hand, I have to be in the region, hoping to solve an acute problem. In Albania's case, and that's also true of other Western Balkan countries, I think it's the European perspective of the main motive, and in this respect I can encourage all political responsibilities to return to parliamentary work. It is the government's duty to approach the opposition and the opposition's duty to engage constructively, critically but also engaged. We also have to do with the image Albania gives on the international plan.

Will this image influence the decision on membership negotiations?

Of course. The image of a country has a huge impact on decision-makers in the European Union. These are the occupants of the people, and the ordinary citizen watching television footage is hard to understand when you hear that this country is ready to start EU membership talks. So once again, my appeal to those in charge is to be aware of this situation and that a picture is known to speak more than a thousand words.

However, State Minister Michael Roth, in an interview for Deutsche Welle, said the pro-opening negotiations since June.

I am, too, because membership negotiations provide the exact opportunity to influence the country's development on the European side with the catalog of European values and therefore it is better to start as soon as possible.

In northern Macedonia, the situation seems more promising than in Albania. Is there any possibility that North Macedonia will be treated separately?

My goal is for both of these countries to be treated simultaneously, because even reports will be established simultaneously. But I cannot predict how member states will decide. The fact is that Northern Macedonia has contributed much and concretely, not only in the context of our demands, but also overcoming the dispute over the name issue, but also with the overcoming bilateral conflict with Bulgaria, Northern Macedonia has created the conditions to be suddenly the only country in the region, which has no conflict with neighbours.

So that means that if Albania fails to find a compromise, negotiations can only be opened with northern Macedonia?

Enlargement negotiations are a process based on the merits and achievements of each country. It would be unfair if a country were to wait because another country did not achieve results.

That applies in principle. Of course, it would be ideal if all six countries entered together. But that is unrealistic. But it is unfair to those who are more committed to finding solutions, capable of compromises, able to produce results. These should not be punished now for being better than others.

Yes the CDU parliamentary group. The CSU has said that it will fail to make a decision as early as June and that it actually wants to postpone the decision by September. Did you talk to them, or haven't you given up yet and continue to fight to bring the start of negotiations on the agenda of the EU Council since June of this year?

We in Vienna have a saying: Only one letter is delivered. Nothing else. That's why I'll try until the last moment to make a decision. It's worth it and we owe it to our partners to keep our word when they meet the conditions we've put on the basis of unanimous decisions from all member states.

Albania and Northern Macedonia were already talking about long and wide. Progress from all countries will emerge on May 29th. What will we read about other countries?

Many good things, but also many critical things. As is common with progress-report. There's progress here, but there's stagnation. For example, in conversations between Serbia and Kosovo, which have been frozen for several months. I hope they'll melt now, not just because of the season. So to put it more clearly: that talks will soon begin. Here, too, is the European perspective for both countries, and a binding agreement between countries is at the bottom the basis for European perspective.

Mrs. Merkel and Mr. Macron have launched an initiative to support these conversations. What are the most effective means the European Union has in its power to move both sides towards compromise?

Faithfulness. If we open membership negotiations with Albania and Northern Macedonia -- this does not mean that they enter the EU tomorrow -- this is a decades-long process that requires a lot of effort -- then that is the best appeal for Serbs and Kosovars to sit at the negotiating table. For what they must accomplish will not be met with great applause in any place. It takes courage and courage from the active actors to sit at a table and draft a compromise that will require concessions on both sides to reach a final outcome.

Does visa liberalisation get in here?

It is not directly related to this matter. But in terms of faithfulness, yes.
Kosovo President Hashim Thaci is of the opinion that without the US there will be no successful negotiations. You see that?

There is a clear international agreement on how these negotiations should be made. Of course, it is good if we have support even from important international actors and when the international community is united. The US is important as support, but the current negotiating structure, under the direction of the High Representative, currently Federica Moghrin, is enough.

Last question, for you as “archict” in the Western Balkans, if I'm allowed to go back to the self-description mentioned at the top of the interview. Last year you supported the idea of changing borders in the Balkans. Do you still see it as possible for normalising Serbia-Kosovo relations?

I just said this shouldn't be taxed immediately. I immediately explained that the solution to come at the end of the day should not be at the cost of the third. Now it is still early to discuss the upcoming solutions. Because the agreement that will be reached between the two countries will be very inclusive. A central country in the agreement will occupy the minority issue because there are many Serbs in all of Kosovo's territory and not in a certain area of Kosovo. That will be the case in the future. So the deal will involve many parts of a bus, which we hope together will produce a beautiful view.